Despite being a QS 10,000 with routine less-than-stellar conditions, the US Open of Surfing is arguably the biggest surfing event on the planet. This year, nearly a million people descended upon Huntington Beach to get amongst the action, whether it was skating, surfing, or the myriad of outrageous exploits this wild week offers.
In addition to a little skate action, our attention was occupied by all things surf. And like many others, our eyes and money were on Filipe Toledo. The way he’s been surfing, it was a likely prospect. It was almost a guarantee. That’s why it was such a shocker when Hawaii’s Tanner Hendrickson gave Toledo the ol’ heave-ho in the Semifinals. But the truth is, Tanner – like Filipe Toledo – has been on a heater since… well, always. With his flawless rail and air game, combined with impeccable timing, it’s no surprise Tanner made the Final. Here he is warming up for battle, and what would later become the greatest result of his career.
‘Tanner Hendrickson’ by Peter Labrador from Peter Labrador on Vimeo.
